![\"Leslie](\"http:\/\/www.financenewmexico.org\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/Leslie-Hoffman-ACCION-NM.jpg\" "\\"Leslie-Hoffman")
<\/a>Leslie Hoffman, V.P. of Lending and Client Service, ACCI\u00d3N New Mexico \u2219 Arizona \u2219 Colorado<\/p><\/div>\n
ACCION New Mexico \u00b7\u00a0Arizona\u00a0\u00b7\u00a0Colorado reached a major milestone in its 16-year history this fall by surpassing the $30 million mark in loans disbursed to small businesses in the three-state area. The event was a milestone as well in the life of borrower Jammie Ross, who is using an ACCION loan to open Caked, a dessert and cupcake bakery, in northwest Albuquerque in early 2011 with her husband, Shane. It was Ross\u2019s loan that pushed ACCION\u2019s lending history past the $30 million milestone.<\/p>\n
Jammie says people need treats, especially when times are hard. \u201cWe feel strongly about our concept and its value, and I’m excited about using my skills and talents both in management and in baking and cake decorating to create a\u00a0family-owned business,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The loan funded equipment, signage, web design\u00a0and architect fees.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evolution of an Ambition<\/strong><\/p>\n When she\u2019s not working with contractors and suppliers to meet her business\u2019s target startup date, Jammie works as the office manager for Albuquerque Foot & Ankle Inc. She has managed restaurants and medical offices for years and 16 years ago started decorating cakes for fun. \u201cI began getting really serious about six years ago,\u201d she said. \u201cI started a party business specializing in children’s parties in 2007 \u2014 which I was doing part time right up until the time we decided to open the cupcake bakery.\u201d<\/p>\n Shane Ross has worked in restaurant management since he graduated from college and currently manages Pei Wei Asian Diner. \u201cHe won’t be involved in the day-to-day operations of Caked but will lend his expertise in a host of important ways behind the scenes,\u201d said Jammie.<\/p>\n Generating Jobs One Business at a Time<\/strong><\/p>\n Since 1994, ACCION has financed the startup or expansion of nearly 3,000 small businesses through more than 4,600 loans.\u00a0ACCION\u2019s client businesses have created or sustained an estimated 4,741 jobs.<\/p>\n The lender offers small business loans between $200 and $150,000. Many of ACCION\u2019s clients come to the organization because they may not yet be able to get the capital they need from traditional financial sources due to modest credit needs, lack of business or credit history or limited collateral. By providing support to its borrowers to help them succeed, including one-on-one education, workshops, mentorship and marketing assistance, ACCION specializes in serving entrepreneurs who would like more than a check when accessing credit.<\/p>\n Through its partnerships with local banks and organizations, ACCION has supported the local economies of 244 urban and rural communities in New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery day, we are in awe of what our clients have accomplished as entrepreneurs and small-business owners throughout our region,\u201d said Anne Haines Yatskowitz, president and chief executive officer of ACCION.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Ross echoed that sentiment \u2014 from the recipient\u2019s side of the bargain. \u201cI\u2019m thrilled to work with ACCION to start Caked and so glad I could be a part of ACCION reaching this milestone.\u201d<\/p>\n Get\u00a0more information about\u00a0 ACCION New Mexico \u00b7\u00a0Arizona\u00a0\u00b7\u00a0Colorado<\/a>.<\/p>\n Article 167<\/p>\n Download 167_Southwest Lender Achieves $30 Million Milestone<\/a>\u00a0PDF<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ACCION New Mexico \u2022 Arizona \u2022 Colorado reached a major milestone in its 16-year history this fall by surpassing the $30 million mark in loans disbursed to small businesses in the three-state area. The event was a milestone as well in the life of borrower Jammie Ross, who is using an ACCION loan to open Caked, a dessert and cupcake bakery, in northwest Albuquerque in early 2011 with her husband, Shane. Continue reading